I don't think these kids you're talking about are that fragile. There's only three kids to worry about with this and two are in their rookie years. If they're mentally fragile enough to let a trade of similarly experienced and talented goalies make them disillusioned and mitigate player development, they only have themselves to blame and it would make building around them very questionable. They should already know they were going to a bad team. You don't get picked 1st, 4th, and 7th overall in most cases to go to anything but a bad team. They need to be tougher than that, show more patience than that, and show they're part of the answer moving forward.
Confirmed Trade: [COL/SJS] Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, 2027 5th for Alexandar Georgiev (14% ret.), Nikolai Kovalenko, 2026 2nd, cond. 2025 4th
- Thread starter Koivu11
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While true, Eklund was drafted 4 years ago and to me he's starting to show the frustrations of someone tired of being on a losing squad. I can't put my finger on it but he strikes me as a player who may possibly want out if things don't turn around by the end of next year. He gets frustrated, starts showing bad habits, gets reprimanded, rekindles his fire, rinse repeat...
I don't know how you see what you're seeing but it's possible. And if it turns out that he wants out, I would max value on him and oblige. They will need committed young players to rebuild this thing and if he's not up for that for whatever reason then get something the team can use for him. Someone who already wants out without even playing two full NHL seasons is a red flag to me when it comes to the mental side of playing in the NHL. I don't think that's what the situation is with Eklund but that's how I'd view such a situation if it were an accurate representation.
bleedgreen
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Whenever I see video of the young Sharks it looks like they’re having a blast being in the NHL. I doubt they need to shelter them from the realities of life very much at this point. They’re too busy proving they belong in the league to shed too many tears about a mediocre goalie being moved out for a lesser goalie. It’s not like Georgiev has never been a good goalie before. They didn’t think they were making the playoffs.
They also got some legit help amongst the forwards in Kovalenko who may fit in great with their build. He’s no star but he could play a role for a few years.
They also got some legit help amongst the forwards in Kovalenko who may fit in great with their build. He’s no star but he could play a role for a few years.
It’s just a gut feeling. I could (and probably am) way off base, but all his post game interviews he just seems so annoyed. I imagine considering he’s been there for a while now that he’s eager for more success so I don’t blame him for being frustrated with the losses. That competitive fire is a great thing to have but after a while I imagine the struggles gets to you.
jMoneyBrah
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Eklund’s been a full time NHLer for like 1.5 seasons. If he’s throwing in the towel on the Sharks situation already, and with the recent and soon to arrive talent, well he’s a hell of a lot less intelligent than I thought.
To be clear, other than the general desire to not loose I’ve seen nothing from Eklund that leads me to believe he’s been nothing but a solid teammate and enthusiastic member of the Sharks org. Frankly, it seems like he loves playing with Granlund, Zetterlund, Celebrini, and Smith. Maybe not being able to put a finger on it just means you’re inventing something to worry about?
I know the concept of a trade that both teams win is a logical paradox that will make some HFers head blow up like they are a Star Trek android, but Blackwood is an improvement over Geo, doesn't have a millstone for a contract and they made the deal without giving up any of their good prospects.
And in the immortal words of Joe Namath "It's last call. Miss America ain't walking through the door" Gibson was the only potentially better option. Geo only reached blackwood's .909 svp in 5 out of 18 games this year.
And in the immortal words of Joe Namath "It's last call. Miss America ain't walking through the door" Gibson was the only potentially better option. Geo only reached blackwood's .909 svp in 5 out of 18 games this year.
dirtydanglez
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wedgewood is playing pretty well right now. you might see a platoon situation in colorado. it will be interesting to see what blackwood can do in front of a team like the avs.
SeanMoneyHands
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And on top, if I recall correctly Georgiev won the goalie challenge at the All star game and took home $100K USD.
El Travo
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Georgiev has never been bad at shootouts. It's basically the one thing he excels at.
I've always liked Blackwood.
Now that he's on a decent team he should be able to get back to the form he showed his first 2 years
Now that he's on a decent team he should be able to get back to the form he showed his first 2 years
TruePowerSlave
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While you never know if Blackwood will succeed in Colorado, I dont see how anyone can say the Avs did not do well with the goalie trades. In just a few weeks they went from horrendous goaltending to NHL caliber netminding without giving up much.
Ideally the goaltending would have been sorted out in the offseason, but better late than never.
Ideally the goaltending would have been sorted out in the offseason, but better late than never.
Reverend Mayhem
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Foppberg
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I wanted Gibson but.. he's also a question mark and would have cost much more.
LOFIN
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LOFIN
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Yeah well, in this case this had already been established in 2015 and 2019:
Thunder Bay's Mackenzie Blackwood highly ranked heading into NHL draft
MacKenzie Blackwood is trying not to think too much about where his hockey career will take him next. As a youngster, the 18-year-old Thunder Bay goalie said he was indoctrinated by his father to cheer for the Colorado Avalanche.
www.tbnewswatch.com
In a Lost Season, the Devils May Have Found a Goalie of the Future (Published 2019)
Mackenzie Blackwood, 22, has offered a glimpse of hope for a team that has come back to earth after a surprising playoff run last season.
You fact checked my joke?Yeah well, in this case this had already been established in 2015 and 2019:
Thunder Bay's Mackenzie Blackwood highly ranked heading into NHL draft
MacKenzie Blackwood is trying not to think too much about where his hockey career will take him next. As a youngster, the 18-year-old Thunder Bay goalie said he was indoctrinated by his father to cheer for the Colorado Avalanche.
In a Lost Season, the Devils May Have Found a Goalie of the Future (Published 2019)
Mackenzie Blackwood, 22, has offered a glimpse of hope for a team that has come back to earth after a surprising playoff run last season.www.nytimes.com
dirtydanglez
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awesome news for his dadYeah well, in this case this had already been established in 2015 and 2019:
Thunder Bay's Mackenzie Blackwood highly ranked heading into NHL draft
MacKenzie Blackwood is trying not to think too much about where his hockey career will take him next. As a youngster, the 18-year-old Thunder Bay goalie said he was indoctrinated by his father to cheer for the Colorado Avalanche.
In a Lost Season, the Devils May Have Found a Goalie of the Future (Published 2019)
Mackenzie Blackwood, 22, has offered a glimpse of hope for a team that has come back to earth after a surprising playoff run last season.
